We, at UOO, have been saying for over a year now that the 2014-2015 school year is the tipping point. With PARCC, SBAC and other common core tests rearing their ugly heads this year we know that the time is prime for corp. ed. reformers to push the business model of public education, as they state once again, that our students, teachers, and public schools are failing. We can anticipate a 70% failure rate on these common core tests – one simply need look only to New York’s scores for the last two years.

The UOO conference is truly a working session for local and national activists who hope to take new learning and plans of action back home to their communities. Yes, we have speakers, and yes we have Q/A panels. But we also provide the time and opportunity for locals to gather and formulate a campaign to reclaim their public schools while also determining what they want for all children once we tear down the corporate reformers’ agenda. All of the speakers STAY for the full event, and they are available to sit in on working sessions and provide insight into campaign planning.

January 15th is a day when children around the country recall that Dr. King had a dream for a fair and just society. But we must also remember that realizing a dream for the future of public education and our children will not arrive with mere wishing. We must take action.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and advocates for justice, democracy and public education, both past and present, United Opt Out is hosting an event that brings advocates for public education together to form plans of action.

The Program:

January 16th, Friday

1:30 p.m. Meeting with workshop leaders

4:00-7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception with Keynote Stephen Krashen

January 17th, Saturday

10:00 a.m. Keynote: Ricardo Rosa/Antonia Darder

10:30 – 12:00 p.m. Working Groups

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Panel#1: Growing the Movement

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Lunch

2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Working Groups

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Panel #2: Organizing

4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Keynote: Ira Shor

(The “How to Refuse the Tests” working group for parents will be held Saturday only. Special one day registration for this is $20.00)

Post navigation

2 comments

HOW MUCH IS A TICKET TO THE CONFERENCE? I’D LIKE TO ATTEND STEPHEN KRASHEN’S 4PM TALK TODAY, JANUARY 16TH AT THE BROWARD CONVENTION CENTER. ( I didn’t seer any ticket info on the website.) I read about the event in The Miami Herald. Thanks, from Susan B. Peterson